WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13 2013 >>>

1. It may be grayer than Bea Arthur's pixie cut outside, but not so inside King's Books at 6 p.m. The Tacoma bookstore's Scrabble Rabble tournament will allow participants to establish their own skill levels and compete with others for glory. The Weekly Volcano has always enjoyed hanging onto the "Q," where it hangs there on our rack like some ultimate weapon of destruction, waiting for that all-enabling "U" tile to unleash its point-mongering wrath upon our opponents. Anyway, if your job sucks or you have a strange rash, join the tournament and those problems will, if only for a few hours, ease back into the recesses of your mind. Oh, and read Kristin Kendle's feature on Scrabble Rabble on the Weekly Volcano's blog Spew.

2. Since its introduction in 1894, the motorcycle has spawned a variety of cultures and uses. As basic transportation, as leisure activity or as a die-hard lifestyle, millions of people have a love affair with Choppers, Crotch Rockets, Thumpers and all things two-wheeled. The action-packed exhibit "Let's Ride! Motocycling The Northwest at the Washington State History Museum is a celebration of the region's never-waning motorcycle culture - will include interactive exhibits, videos and impressive displays of machines from 1906 to the 21st century. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Sometimes, it's best to go small. Other times, going big is the thing to do. From 5-8 p.m., it's highly suggested you do both. Kittredge Gallery on the University of Puget Sound hosts two opening receptions. In its Small Gallery, you may enjoy "You Are Here," an installation of a new series of work by University of Puget Sound professor of art, Michael Johnson. The exhibition encompasses a group of three-dimensional drawings, a melding of Johnson's sculptural practice with technology. In the Large Gallery, the long-titled "Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start," an exhibition of new work by Seattle painter Cable Griffith, embraces the influence of early video game imagery, systems and themes. The exhibition includes drawings, paintings, sculpture and an interactive video game/painting collaboration with Brent Watanabe. Both exhibitions will close April 13.

4. Saxophonist Kareem Kandi's sound is virtually unrelated to the roomy traditions of soul saxes, honking saxes or deep-chested boudoir ballad saxes. It derives from the classic, free, often enthusiastic tradition of Joshua Redman as filtered through Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt, all of whose shadows can be traced-Redman in Kandi's funky organicism, Gordon in his dynamic harmonics, Stitt in the intensity that coats his every note with a Gritty City finish. Kandi has been hanging with organist Delvon Lamarr and drummer Adam Kessler, which has added groovy innovation to Kandi's sound. The Kareem Kandi Band heads back to The Swiss at 7 p.m. for another Wednesday open jam session.

5. Bozeman raunch 'n' rollers The Moustache Bandits will bring its high intensity performance and tongue-in-cheek cow-punk songs to Le Voyeur at 9 p.m.

LINK: Wednesday, March 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area